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How do you define an addictive gamer? - Page 7

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Chairman Ray
Profile Blog Joined December 2009
United States11903 Posts
March 11 2011 02:50 GMT
#121
Personally, I play about 6 hours of games on a school/work night, and pretty much all day on weekends, but I am nowhere close to a gaming addict. I would say that a gaming addiction is where a person cannot function well in outside life due to the effects of prolonged gaming. For example, if someone thinks about video games whenever he goes to work or school, and is always dying to go back to playing video games and cannot focus on any other task properly, then it would be a gaming addiction. I know I dont have a gaming addiction because whenever I go out for weekends, or go on a month long camp or something, I don't miss video games on bit. It doesn't stop me from enjoying video games while im playing them.
By.Fantasy
Profile Joined February 2011
Thailand123 Posts
March 11 2011 02:54 GMT
#122
Well.. when I play 3-4 hours more of SC and my Bro/Friend/Parents see me play they will call me an addict..... >.> They say I'm addicted to Starcraft
My english is not very good.
SiDX
Profile Joined July 2009
New Zealand1975 Posts
March 11 2011 02:59 GMT
#123
Too much of anything is bad for you.
Demonace34
Profile Blog Joined January 2011
United States2493 Posts
March 11 2011 03:14 GMT
#124
I'll answer the OP before I get off on a tangent about the problem with people not being addicted or passionate to things they love to do in life. There is a point where video games become an addiction, and that point is where every other priority in life comes 2nd or 3rd to video games. The quote from King of Kong: Fistful of Quarters by Billy Mitchell sums up why addiction and/or intense passion is a must for competitive people/sports/gaming.

"...but competetive gaming, when you want to attach your name to a world-record, when you want your name written into history, you have to pay the price!"
—Billy Mitchell

I think that even if there is one person we can point to and say they are addicted to video games, there is a whole story behind it. Obviously if a person wants to be top 10 on a video game, they have to be addicted and put in countless hours into getting better. In that case, video games would turn into a lifestyle, much like the Korean Pro-Gaming scene. 12 hours a day, they are playing a game that they enjoy and want to get better at, and since it is what they have devoted this time of their life into, it becomes part of what they live for.

If people look back at all the famous names in history, I doubt you'll find someone who got remembered for doing something average or in moderation. People who are the best at what they do usually have to sacrifice other stuff in their life to be the best. Football players are working out in the gym or at practice hours upon hours per day. Doctors or Teachers who are passionate about their jobs are having long work days to become better at what they do, or help more people.

My problem is where is the line crossed between passionate about video games and addiction to video games. My friends and I play video games together, so it isn't messing up my social life (I guess people can argue it messes up your "love" life). The only harm it can cause to your physical self is a bad back and getting chubby from not working out. The last time I checked video games don't make you go crazy unless you don't get enough vitamin D intake or if you don't talk to other people about the game you play.

I think this is more of a social issue, where most westerners don't feel that video games will get people places in life. It might not allow people to become doctors or college educated, but I think if anyone watches Daily #100 from Day9, they will realize that gaming can help you in life and can be a cause for good.
NaNiwa|IdrA|HuK|iNcontroL|Jinro|NonY|Day[9]|PuMa|HerO|MMA|NesTea|NaDa|Boxer|Ryung|
shawster
Profile Blog Joined May 2010
Canada2485 Posts
March 11 2011 03:24 GMT
#125
On March 11 2011 02:38 Torte de Lini wrote:
I'd hate to bump this old topic, but in regards to my original post and predicament, the journalist responded back:
Show nested quote +
Hello again,

We are trying to have several opinions on the subject of addiction to video games, and yours is very pertinent. Would you like to elaborate it in front of our camera? You wouldn't have to show your face if you don't want to.
Feel free to accept or refuse.
Cheers,

Name
Number

PS. If you accept, we can do the interview in French or in English, as you wish.


Should I give my opinion in front of a camera? While I feel strong on my stance, I'm not confident enough that is has flaws or that it can be edited or misconstrued to make it seem like I'm oblivious of other possibilities.

The sorta Sarah Palin "Gotcha'" effect, y'know?


if you appear decent looking/well built/groomed on camera and you're well articulated they can't do much.

obviously the issue of video game addiction leads to a much bigger issue about video games in general. badasses in hollywood are drug addicts, but gamers aren't. there has to be less gamers that sound like people from the big bang theory.
oneofthem
Profile Blog Joined November 2005
Cayman Islands24199 Posts
March 11 2011 03:26 GMT
#126
on this definition business. you'll know it when you see it, but you gotta see every it.
We have fed the heart on fantasies, the heart's grown brutal from the fare, more substance in our enmities than in our love
Fitzhunt1
Profile Joined February 2010
United States169 Posts
March 11 2011 03:27 GMT
#127
There is this wemon who lives in my town and she was addicted to WOW and droped out of school just to play. This is the best example for an addict that I can think of.
Blizzcon exclusive no donuts.
whiteguycash
Profile Joined April 2010
United States476 Posts
March 11 2011 03:28 GMT
#128
Addiction is a physical ailment, in that if you go without something you are addicted to, your body issues a physical response, such as depression, nausea, etc. When I go for weeks without drinking, or smoking a cigarette, I feel sick, get the chills, have an overall sour attitude, and just feel physically sick. I am addicted to those. when I go without playing a game for 3 weeks, my grades improve, my social life improves, and I find myself bored in between. I do not, however, experience withdrawal symptoms.
Pacman234
Profile Joined December 2010
United States88 Posts
March 11 2011 03:30 GMT
#129
On February 23 2011 08:17 Manifesto7 wrote:
I dont think an game addict is different than other addicts. If gaming is something that negatively impacts other important aspects of your life, and creates an imbalance, then it is a problem.

Continuing behaviour that contributes to this negative impact makes you an addict.

this, no need to even write my own thoughts, for it is shared by many others
Steel
Profile Blog Joined April 2010
Japan2283 Posts
March 11 2011 03:46 GMT
#130
I think that a video game addict is simply someone who prioritizes a video game which will not benefit him directly in his immediate real life situation over real life in general. So a guy who grinds WoW 24/7 and doesn't make money or anything out of it is an addict, while someone who plays SC2 24/7 and wins major tournaments isn't.

All a matter of how you set you priorities in relationship to their reward. #1 priority has no long-term reward, only short-term personal satisfaction? addicted!
Try another route paperboy.
Cush
Profile Joined September 2010
United States646 Posts
March 11 2011 03:51 GMT
#131
Well, the medical term for "addiction" is when you litterly have withdraws when you stop doing and or playing a certain game or drug. The word addiction is losely defined
"That's not your main base Stardust.....Stardust.....that's not your main" Sayle
Zeke50100
Profile Blog Joined February 2010
United States2220 Posts
March 11 2011 04:22 GMT
#132
I choose to play video games over doing schoolwork because schoolwork is incredibly boring (and it's all I ever do for 7 hours of the day).

I see far too many anti-gamers who obsessively throw around the word "addict" as a means of creating a negative connotation with video games. What's the difference between someone who plays video games for fun (regardless of how long they play) and someone who plays a sport for fun (again, regardless of how long they play)? Physical build? It's absolutely ridiculous that society is so focused on avoiding the "overuse" of technology that they would go to the point of calling people who simply like to relax, "addicts".

Saying that an addiction is choosing to do something without any benefit is also far too weak of a definition. What do I get out of, say, taking an algebra course (despite already having surpassed that level of math) out of pure requirement? Am I "addicted" to classes? Clearly, the only "benefit" is an intrinsic one that could easily be negated if it weren't required.

It's pretty disgusting how people think "passion" is "addiction".

...Actually, I have to write an essay on the subject for my english course. Consider this practice (it's an informal jeremiad, although not necessarily in this tone or voice >.>)
MrMedic
Profile Joined November 2010
Canada452 Posts
March 11 2011 04:37 GMT
#133
I think a game addiction is when you start turning down social events to play videos games.
LunarC
Profile Blog Joined October 2009
United States1186 Posts
Last Edited: 2011-03-11 04:55:39
March 11 2011 04:49 GMT
#134
I believe that there are two kinds of addiction: physical and mental.

Physical addiction results in withdrawal symptoms, so you can gauge physical addiction by whether someone suffers from withdrawal symptoms in the absence of whatever they are addicted to. This is probably purely limited to addiction to substances.

Mental addiction is less well-defined, and thus becomes less of a medical question and more of a personal one. I define mental addiction as something that you devote yourself to so to the extent that it starts to overtake your other priorities. Those "other priorities" can be essential things like eating or sleeping, but they can also be things like studying, going to class, or participating in social outings.

Mental addiction is almost synonymous with having a passion for something. The only thing that splits the two is whether the person in question truly believes that they are spending their time well. Thus, the question becomes a question of personal character, and will obviously vary from person to person.

True addiction, however, probably arises when someone knows that what they are doing is destructive to their self, but they do not have enough self-control to combat their habituated impulse. Again, it's never something anyone else can decide for anyone else. In another sense, if the outcome of that addiction is undesirable to you, you have no one to blame but yourself.
REEBUH!!!
Pyth121
Profile Joined February 2011
United States34 Posts
March 11 2011 05:37 GMT
#135
I think a truely addicted gamer is someone who wants to play less but they can't control how much time they spend gaming once they start playing. If you can look at a clock and say 'time to do something else' then you have enough self control that you're not addicted. If you have no social life or bad grades, you simply prefer gaming and parent nagging as opposed to being 'normal' and bored.
Highwinds
Profile Joined August 2010
Canada955 Posts
March 11 2011 05:48 GMT
#136
Many people call me an addict. But I think they are correct in calling me one....

My entire grade 12 year of high school I played world of warcraft from 3:30 when I got home till 2:30 in the morning then i'd wake up and play for another hour before I left to school. My weekends included playing world of warcraft from Noon till 6 AM. I sometimes go entire days without leaving my room or eating just playing Starcraft and World of Warcraft.

Often times I've stayed up for 48 hours + playing WoW. I achieved the realm first level 85 achievement on my realm as well (On a high population one too). With Starcraft according to SC2gears my avg time spent playing just Starcraft a day is upwards of 6 hours.

I enjoy it though. I don't hate it so It's all fun and good. I only hate it after extensive loss streaks where I rage....

I've went through 4 headsets in about 6 months from this game.
Yes It's a Good Day. 저는 아이유 사랑해요!
Jayme
Profile Blog Joined February 2009
United States5866 Posts
March 11 2011 05:50 GMT
#137
On February 23 2011 08:17 Manifesto7 wrote:
I dont think an game addict is different than other addicts. If gaming is something that negatively impacts other important aspects of your life, and creates an imbalance, then it is a problem.

Continuing behaviour that contributes to this negative impact makes you an addict.


You should be banned from posting in these topics.

Every time you end the thread because there is nothing else to say
Python is garbage, number 1 advocate of getting rid of it.
Herculix
Profile Joined May 2010
United States946 Posts
March 11 2011 06:07 GMT
#138
you can totally be addicted to gaming or anything. when it comes to psychological addiction, you know you're addicted when that thing gets taken away and you get some clear psychological issue going on, like you have childish outbursts or you get depressed and it consumes your thoughts and desires or something. if you can just occupy yourself with other things, but you play video games a lot, you just like video games a lot
Jesushooves
Profile Joined November 2010
Canada553 Posts
March 11 2011 06:21 GMT
#139
Why isn't it defined simply as any other addiction? The difference between being a gaming addict and most other addictions is that it doesn't cost money, only time. We say someone is an alcoholic when he spends all the money he has on alcohol and it interferes with his work/family/life in general, why not say the same about a gaming addict? So when you play videogames for so many hours a day that you can't study/ go to class/ go to work/ whatever, then you are an addict. Of course, progamers get it easy, playing 10 hours a day IS their work
Lose its good, after will be win.
Cuddle
Profile Joined May 2010
Sweden1345 Posts
March 11 2011 06:31 GMT
#140
+ Show Spoiler +
On February 24 2011 04:01 mordk wrote:
In psychiatry addictions are defined the use of certain substance/behaviour/whatever which meet two main criteria, although with a few exceptions:

-The user develops "tolerance": He needs more of the suspected behaviour to obtain the same effect as he used to get with lesser amounts.
-The user experiences "abstinence": He/she develops symptoms related to the cease of use of the substance or to stopping said behaviour.

The other concept which people are using here corresponds to abusive consumption, which is defined by an excessive use of something or certain behaviour which interferes with other aspects of life, such as work, social relationships, law, etc, at this point it becomes a non-adaptive behaviour, and is considered pathological.

These concepts also include time lapses in which they happen and some other details but that's fine for a general description.

Both concepts often intertwine, but I'd say there are not too many video game "addicts" (although it has been described), in comparison to the amount of video-game abusers there are, which I think are a whole lot more than dare admit it, I'm pretty sure I can be classified as having an abusive use of video games myself, many times.


@Tort: I think, if you stick with the above "definition" going in, you'll be fine. Let us know what you did/how it went.
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